In the wake of Mortal Kombat 1's Khaos Reigns DLC, speculation has reached a fever pitch regarding NetherRealm Studios' next major project. While unconfirmed, the persistent rumors point toward the long-awaited third installment in the Injustice series. NetherRealm's Chief Creative Officer, Ed Boon, added fuel to the fire by revealing the studio knew its next title three years ago. As the gaming world looks toward 2026 and beyond, one overused yet potent narrative device stands out as the perfect catalyst for Injustice 3: the sprawling, chaotic, and infinitely creative DC Multiverse.
The Injustice universe, designated as Earth-49, was born from a single, tragic moment of failure. The story is familiar yet harrowing: The Joker, targeting Superman, executed a plan of unimaginable cruelty. He murdered Jimmy Olsen, kidnapped a pregnant Lois Lane, and rigged a nuclear bomb to destroy Metropolis. Superman raced against time, only to confront what he believed was the unstoppable Doomsday. In a cruel twist, the monster was Lois herself, transformed by Scarecrow's fear toxin. Superman's world shattered in an instant—Lois, his unborn child, and his city were gone. The grief-stricken Man of Steel did the unthinkable, killing the Joker and setting Earth-49 on a five-year path of tyranny, hero against hero, brother against brother.
The Fractured Path Forward
Injustice 2 concluded not with resolution, but with a profound divergence. Players were left with two starkly different futures:
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The Superman Ending: A victorious Kal-El, having defeated Brainiac, uses the alien's technology to lobotomize Batman and establish absolute control. His new mission? To conquer not just one world, but the entire multiverse.
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The Batman Ending: Superman is imprisoned in the Phantom Zone, Supergirl joins Batman's side, and a fragile peace is won on Earth-49.
This branching narrative is a gift for storytellers. NetherRealm has precedent here, having navigated dual endings in Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC. For Injustice 3, they could craft a story reminiscent of Mortal Kombat 1's timeline reset. Imagine a reality where Brainiac's defeat didn't just end a war—it shattered a universe. The two endings of Injustice 2 could represent two parallel Earth-49s, split at the moment of victory. The core game could follow Batman's universe, only for it to be invaded by the tyrannical Superman from the other, who now commands Brainiac's armada and a legion of miniaturized cities, his eyes set on multiversal domination. 😱
A Multiverse of Possibilities (and Antagonists)
Of course, Superman need not be the only—or even the primary—threat. The multiverse opens the door for antagonists of cosmic scale. Fan theories have long swirled around two iconic DC villains perfectly suited for a crossover brawler:
| Potential Antagonist | Connection & Threat Level |
|---|---|
| The Anti-Monitor | The being responsible for the Crisis on Infinite Earths; a multiversal extinction-level event. |
| Darkseid | The tyrannical ruler of Apokolips; a threat so great he could unite fractured heroes and villains. |
The inclusion of Darkseid would be particularly poetic, creating a direct lineage to NetherRealm's past. It would callback to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and Mortal Kombat 11, which featured Dark Kahn—the fused entity of Darkseid and Shao Kahn. Whether it's a Brainiac-empowered Superman, the embodiment of anti-matter, or the god of tyranny, the stage is set for a conflict that demands heroes from every corner of reality.
New Faces from Forgotten Worlds
This is where the multiverse concept truly shines for gameplay and fan service. While Injustice 1 & 2 offered skins referencing alternate realities (like Red Son Superman), they never delivered a fully realized fighter from another Earth. Injustice 3 could change everything, introducing a roster of unique champions and villains from across the DC Omniverse. 🦇⚡
Imagine the possibilities:
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Earth-3's Owlman: The sinister, calculating counterpart to Batman, offering a ruthless and tactical fighting style.
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Earth-12's Batman Beyond: Terry McGinnis in the high-tech suit, bringing sleek, futuristic acrobatics and gadgetry.
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Earth-22's The Batman Who Laughs: A nightmarish fusion of Bruce Wayne and the Joker, a wildcard fighter with brutal, unpredictable moves.
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Earth-M's Static Shock: Virgil Hawkins, the master of electromagnetism, could provide a dynamic, zoning-heavy playstyle unlike any other.
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Earth-2's Red Tornado: The classic android hero, a powerhouse of wind and force.
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Earth-55's Green Canary & Earth-118's Deathstroke: Gender-swapped or morally inverted versions of familiar faces, each with fresh narrative potential.
These aren't just palette swaps; they are doorways. Each character introduces players to a whole new world with its own history and rules, exponentially expanding the lore and appeal of the Injustice series. They could arrive as reluctant allies against a common multiversal foe, or as invaders with their own agendas.
As 2026 approaches, the pieces are in place for NetherRealm to deliver a defining chapter in superhero gaming. The foundation of Earth-49 is built, its timeline fractured. The narrative tools of the multiverse are waiting, not as a crutch, but as a canvas. By weaving together the consequences of its past choices and the infinite possibilities of DC's legacy, Injustice 3 could become more than a sequel. It could become a crisis, a war, and a celebration of decades of comic book history, all decided with a super-powered punch.